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Former WBC Middleweight Champion Rodrigo Valdez Dies at Age 70 in Colombia

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

  Cartagena, Colombia (March 16th, 2017)–   Former World Boxing Council World Middleweight champion Rodrigo ‘Rocky’ Valdez, who decked Carlos Monzon in the WBA and WBC unification bout which followed, lost the decision, but who later won the undisputed middleweight title after Monzon retired, has died at the age of 70 on March 15, 2017, in his native Cartagena, Colombia.

 

Valdez compiled a professional record of 63 wins, eight losses, and two draws, with 42 knockouts, between 1963 and 1980. He was stopped only once. In May 1974, Valdez dropped Bennie Briscoe in the seventh round to win the vacant WBC title after Monzon got stripped. Valdez held the unique distinction of being the only middleweight to knock Carlos Monzon and Bennie Briscoe off their feet. Valdez lost his world title by decision to Hugo Corro by 15 round decision, and also lost a 156 round rematch to Corro. After knocking out two opponents in 1980 in Bogota, he retired at age 33. Valdez is ranked 29th all-time on the Ring Magazine list of hardest punchers.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].